Backlash After Activist Targets Hanuman Statue in US
A political controversy erupted in the US after Texas-based conservative activist Carlos Turcios posted a video criticizing the large Hanuman statue at a temple in Sugar Land, drawing harsh reactions from Indian-American communities and social media users.
Installed at the Shri Ashtalakshmi Temple, the statue was unveiled in August 2024 and is considered the tallest Hanuman statue in North America. The structure, called Panchaloha Abhaya Hanuman, stands on privately owned temple land and is funded by devotees.
In a post on X, Turcios described the statue as evidence of a cultural “invasion,” writing that “Third World Aliens are slowly taking over Texas and America.” He compared the Texas suburb to cities like New Delhi and Islamabad and questioned why the statue existed in the United States.
These remarks quickly sparked criticism online; Many users accused the activist, who is affiliated with Republican circles in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area, of promoting xenophobia and misunderstanding religious freedom protections.
Some commentators have pointed out that the temple operates legally on private property and reflects the religious practices of local residents. Others have cited language usage statistics to argue that Indian Americans are among the most assimilated immigrant groups in the country, noting that no Indian language is among the top ten languages spoken nationwide.
“No, Carlos. Hindus in Texas are not a threat to Western civilization. But you are too racist and remarkably INTENSIVE to bother studying Hinduism and understand that the religion rejects conversion. What you should be complaining about is radical Islam. Get a grip,” wrote American media personality Adelle Nazarian.
Many other community members and civil rights advocates have noted that the controversy highlights ongoing tensions in the United States around immigration, cultural diversity and religious expression, and that places of worship — regardless of faith — are protected under constitutional liberties.
